Attachment_3_-_1305M319RNFFP0020_PWS.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

ATTACHMENT 3

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

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1.1. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.1.1. TITLE: SOUTHER RESIDENT KILLER WHALE ANNUAL PHOTO IDENTIFICATION SURVEY SERVICES

1.1.2. INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The Northwest Fisheries Science Center of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires contractor support related to undertaking an annual census of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population and to provide for the periodic health assessments of this population.

BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is a government agency charged with the mission of stewardship for living marine resources.

The NWFSC's mission is to conduct the science necessary to conserve marine and anadromous species and their habitats off the Washington, Oregon, and northern California coasts and in freshwater rivers of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The research provides reliable, relevant, and credible information to help decision-makers and natural resource managers build sustainable fisheries, recover endangered and threatened species, maintain healthy ecosystems, and protect human health. The Conservation Biology Division (CBD) of the NWFSC conducts science to support the conservation of marine species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The CBD’s Marine Mammal Program is responsible for research on the ecology, distribution, abundance, and threats to marine mammal species in the Northwest, primarily endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales which were designated as ‘endangered’ due to their low abundance and variety of threats to their persistence by NOAA Fisheries in 2005.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives are to: 1) collect high quality, usable Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population data, 2) enumerate all individuals present in the population through photo-identification, 3) provide SRKW health assessments though visual means and biological samples, and 4) complete other SRKW Annual Survey services tasks and analyses as required.

SCOPE OF WORK

The contractor shall conduct the annual census of SRKW population and provide for the periodic conduct of health assessments of this population. In addition, the contractor shall undertake other ancillary tasks that are determined to be within scope on an as needed basis.

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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The contractor shall provide all services, personnel, material, supplies, supervision, labor, expertise, and equipment necessary to accomplish the tasks.

1.1.3. DESRIPTION OF TASKS

1.1.3.1. ANNUAL CENSUS

The contractor shall address the annual need to determine the population size of the southern resident killer whale population and enumerate all individuals present in the population through photo-identification.

This will involve collecting and providing individual identification and sighting location information to include photo-ID on killer whales, particularly J, K, and L pods. The primary focus is on J, K and L pods of the SRKW population. Opportunistic information on other killer whale populations, including northern residents, transient and offshore ecotype killer whales, should also be obtained, but is a second priority.

Photo-ID is defined here as photographic mapping of each side of the whale, so each whale can be identified from either side. Each year, animals acquire new marks, and juvenile animals grow in size, such that high resolution photographs are required to document these changes which must be taken closer than 200m, requiring a federal research permit. Staff must have the ability to recognize all individuals in the SRKW population (approximately 75 whales) from memory, immediately when the whale is at the surface for only about 4 seconds, using the fin shape, saddle pigment pattern, and subtle nicks and scratches, all when viewed from tens of meters away so photos of the same whale are not taken over and over again.

1.1.3.1.1. TIMING

The contractor shall conduct annual surveys of the SRKW population in the late spring or summer each year of the contract that document the presence or absence of each whale that had been in the prior year’s census and any new whales in the population due to births or immigration. During encounters from these surveys the contractor shall to the extent possible collect photo-ID data of each southern resident killer whale.

1.1.3.1.3. DATA

Data collected for each encounter, to the extent possible, is to include a clear photograph suitable for identification of each individual and include the date, time, location of the sighting (descriptive and latitude/longitude), and which other whales were present.

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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1.1.3.2. KILLER WHALE HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

Generally, the contractor shall provide for the periodic conduct of health assessments of individual whales of concern in this population.

1.1.3.2.1. VISUAL ASSESSMENTS

Visually observe and monitor individual whales for signs of poor health, including unusual or atypical behavior or appearance; high risk interactions with people or vessels; signs of serious injury or infectious disease; interactions with fishing gear (e.g. hook in mouth, entanglement in line; or other indications of a life-threatening condition.

1.1.3.2.1. SAMPLE COLLECTION

Collection of killer whale fecal, mucus, breath, or other bodily samples for biological analysis. All samples shall be collected only under a current NMFS permit and any conditions described therein.

Samples shall be stored appropriately for genetic, chemical, hormonal, and pathological analysis, and shall include complete field sampling information including the lat/long coordinates of the sample, the unique identifier of any associated whales in the area, the method of sample collection, and the amount of sample collected.

1.1.4. DELIVERABLES

TYPES OF DELIVERABLES

The general types of deliverables for photographic collections and related analysis, biological samples and related analysis, and both weekly and annual reports are described. Deliverables will be further refined at the task order level.

1.1.4.1. ANNUAL CENSUS

Annual Census Deliverables are explained in detail below and the related performance requirements are summarized in the Annual Census Deliverables Performance Requirements Table (Attachment D.4.)

1.1.4.1.1. WEEKLY REPORTS

The contractor shall provide weekly electronic reports (contractor’s website encounter reports, if published in this manner, meet this requirement) describing all opportunistic whale encounters (resident, transient, or offshore ecotype) collected and, where applicable, which pods, matrilines, or individual whales were observed, and their locations/routes (i.e., GPS locations).

Data collected for each encounter is to include, to the best of the contractor’s ability, a photograph suitable for identification of each individual and shall include the date, time, location of the sighting (descriptive and latitude/longitude), and which other whales were present. Opportunistically, any

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

NOAA SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020 - Attachment 3 Page 4 change in body condition associated with health status or anthropogenic interactions are also to be noted. The contractor shall provide a copy of the sighting data in electronic form to NWFSC upon completion of the field work and data review. The file will be in Excel format.

1.1.4.1.2. ANNUAL REPORTS

Each year the contractor shall provide a report of the annual SRKW census. The report shall include the number of whales (total and by pod) known or reliably estimated to be in the population on the first day of July, including a unique identifier for each whale consistent with the previous years’ identification system. The report on the population size on the first day of July shall be provided by the first day of October of each year and to the extent possible should also include a narrative description of the circumstances associated with the addition or loss of each whale, including the inferred mother of each new calf since the first day of July of the previous year. The report shall also include new numbers by pod with a comparison to the numbers reported to the previous census year. To the extent possible, the contractor shall provide a summary of the first and last date of observation of all individual SRKW (living and dead) in each year. Calves that were born and died within the year should also be reported. A file of these data will be provided in an Excel format.

1.1.4.1.3. PHOTO ID CATALOGUES

The contractor shall provide copies of the SRKW ID catalogue (1 electronic and 10 hard copies) with photos of all individuals in each matriline. Electronic copies shall include the best available photos obtained to date and the best available photo for the current year, along with the unique identifier for each whale. The best available photo to date shall include the date the photo was obtained.

1.1.4.2. HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Killer Whale Health Assessment Deliverables are explained in detail below and the related performance requirements are summarized in the Health Assessment Performance Requirements Table (Attachment 1.3.)

1.1.4.2.1. WEEKLY REPORTS

The contractor shall provide weekly reports as described in 1.1.4.1.1., but shall also include a narrative description of observations and trends related to the health of the focal whale.

1.1.4.2.2. BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

All biological samples collected shall be provided within 48 hours to the NWFSC Point of Contact (POC), either by hand delivery or by overnight shipment. Samples shall be shipped on ice or in a manner pre-approved by the NWFSC POC.

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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1.1.5. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF WORK

It is anticipated that the work will generally be conducted in the coastal and inland waters of United States and British Columbia.

The contractor shall have all required permits to carry out this research in these areas and adhere to the guidelines of those permits while conducting this work.

1.1.6. PLACE AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Specific locations and periods of performance identified in this performance work statement and the base IDIQ contract are estimated. Specific dates and locations of performance will be outlined in the individual task orders.

1.1.7. PROGRAM COORDINATION

The contractor shall provide and designate a Project Manager/Coordinator/Contract Liaison as the primary contact point for the Government’s Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative and the contractor’s employees designated as key personnel under individual task orders.

1.1.8. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Orders issued under this agreement shall contain, to the maximum extent practicable, meaningful performance measures to enable the assessment of success/failure in meeting the objectives of the requiring office.

The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be responsible for monitoring work order/task order performance measures to assess progress. The Contracting Officer shall be notified by the COR when it appears that contract performance will not successfully meet the established measures.

1.1.9. QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor is responsible for producing complete, competent, and thoroughly checked documents within the schedules provided in this performance work statement and the task orders. Following the contract award, the contractor shall submit a Quality Control (QC) Plan for approval by the COR. The NWFSC reserves the right to conduct site visits and inspections to assure quality of work and data. The NWFSC reserves the right to accompany the contractor during collection of field data to assess compliance with the Quality Control Plan.

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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1.1.10. DATA RIGHTS

The contractor shall have the right to analyze, interpret, and publish the data collected under this performance work statement. Publications in the primary scientific literature that use data collected under this project shall be done in collaboration with the NWFSC POC and/or their designee(s). The NWFSC shall have the right to analyze, interpret, summarize, and publish these data in conjunction with other data. The NWFSC may at is discretion make the data available to other researchers or to the general public.

1.1.11. ASSOCIATED TRAVEL

The SRKW Annual Survey services Contract Line Item Number (CLINs) rates shall be fully burdened and inclusive of all contractor costs and expenses. Any travel costs, including transportation, lodging, subsistence, and incidental expenses, incurred in association with the performance of this work incurred by the Contractor's personnel, subcontractors or consultants shall not be reimbursed as separate expenses.

1.1.12. CHANGES AND UNAUTHORIZED EXPENSES

The contractor is not authorized to make expenditures or incur obligations in the performance of this order which exceeds the lesser of the obligated or awarded amount except at the contractor’s own risk and expense. Changes in work or services, requested by any person orally or in writing, are neither approved nor authorized until the Contracting Officer has given a notice to proceed, or obligated a corresponding modification to the contract and or task order.

1.1.13. NON-PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT STATEMENT

Contractor employees performing services under this order shall be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Contractor employees shall perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S.

Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Government will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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1.2. ANNUAL CENSUS DELIVERABLES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TABLE

ANNUAL CENSUS PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

DELIVERABLE METHOD OF DELIVERY DUE DATE

1.1.4.1.1.

Weekly Reports

Excel spreadsheet or website update Within one week of each encounter

1.1.4.1.2.

Annual Report

1) Narrative of births and deaths since July 1st of the previous year

2) Excel spreadsheet of pod membership and changes since July 1st of the previous year

October 1st

1.1.4.1.3.

Photo-ID Catalog

1) Electronic file of individual images

2) Adobe .pdf of Catalog

3) 10 printed Catalogs

October 1st

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 1305M319RNFFP0020

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1.3. HEALTH ASSESSMENT DELIVERABLES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TABLE

HEALTH ASSESSMENT PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

DELIVERABLE METHOD OF DELIVERY DUE DATE

1.1.4.1.1.

Health Reports

Narrative report or website update Within one week of each encounter

1.1.4.1.2.

Biological Samples

Hand delivery or overnight shipment

Within 48 hours of collection

Introduction